Transcript for Historic Meeting Between Pope Francis and President Obama

And now, to Rome, today. A historic meeting between pope Francis and president Obama. The president, personally, delivering a message from the American people. Come visit us. So, what did they discuss? And what was inside the gifts they exchanged? ABC's chief white house correspondent, Jonathan Karl, tells us. Reporter: The arrival had all the trappings you would expect of a presidential visit to the Vatican. But this is a different kind of pope. Wonderful to meet you. Reporter: And the two spoke for 52 minutes, one of the longest between a pope and an American president. Visibly energized by the encounter, the president gave the pope a chest containing seeds from the white house garden. Some seeds for the garden. These, I think, are carrots. Reporter: The pope gave the president a copy of his papal mission statement decrying poverty. President Obama said he would read it in the oval office when he is frustrated. I am sure it will give me strength and will calm me down. I hope. Reporter: While the two men don't see eye-to-eye on social issues, like abortion and gay marriage, but they have clearly formed a bond in other areas, especially in seeing fighting poverty as a moral responsibility. I was grateful to have the opportunity to speak with him about the responsibilities that we all share to care for the least of these, the poor, the excluded. Reporter: But he does not count on forming a political alliance with the pope. His job is a little more elevated. We're down on the ground dealing with the often profane. And he's dealing with higher powers. Reporter: Jonathan Karl, ABC news, traveling with the president, at the Vatican.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

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